Visit the H.P. LOVECRAFT GRAVESITE (Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Boulevard) and leave the shovel at home (in 1997 some grave-digging scamps attempted to dig up the iconic horror/sci-fi author). Pay your respects to Rhode Island's most beloved horror/early sci-fi author, whose place of rest is at Lot 5, Group 281. The Ladd Observatory (Doyle Avenue and Hope Street) hosts an annual commemorative service (usually in mid-March) saluting the life and works of Mr. Lovecraft.

At the Providence Performing Arts Center (220 Weybosset Street, ppacri.org, 401.421.2787), some shows offer a 50-percent student ID discount. When WANDA SYKES (March 17, 7:30 pm) isn't grilling and killing Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm or slaying everyone else on her late-night talk show, she takes it to the stage like a pro. Must-see comedy for sure ($28-$53). And MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, the Broadway take on the 1975 flick Monty Python and the Holy Grail, will bring the laffs April 15-17 ($36-$63).

MEAL DEALS

Take mom out to brunch (or a seven-course prix-fixe dinner ) at NICK'S ON BROADWAY (500 Broadway, Providence, nickson broadway.com, 401.421.0286). Nick's is the best restaurant in Providence — scratch that, best in Rhode Island — and backed by Fodor's, which cited Derek Wagner's gem as "one of the best on Earth." Mom would love the weekend brunch, and the occasional hour-long wait for a table is worth testing her patience. Or, since reservations are accepted only for dinner, save up a few bucks and splurge on the Chef's Tasting Menu (three courses for $45, or six-course for $80 per person), where Wagner and his staff will dazzle the palate with the freshest local ingredients available (and will pair each course with a glass of wine for only $5 each).

A few months back the folks at CRAZY BURGER CAFE & JUICE BAR (144 Boon Street, Narra-gansett, crazyburger.com, 401.783.1810) be-gan a weekly recipe contest on their Facebook page, and the foodies have come out in full force, brainstorming for free dinner-for-two gift certificates. Each Sunday Crazy Burger posts a new contest; if you receive enough "likes" for your concoction, you win! And the place is textbook "destination dining," with Sweet Corn-Risotto Fritters, the Whassupy Burger, and Deep Fried Ice Cream — rolled in Frosted Flakes.